Besic spurred on by World Cup experience

, 31 July, 24comments  |  Jump to most recent

Besic kept Messi on a short leash in their meeting at the Maracana during the World Cup last month
Muhamed Besic says that his well-reviewed performances for Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup this summer gave him the confidence to make the leap from the Hungarian league to the Premier League with Everton.

The 21 year-old was charged with man-marking Lionel Messi in the Balkan country's baptism of fire against Argentina last month and did an impressive job of keeping him subdued until a crucial moment in the second half when "Leo" escaped his clutches and scored what would prove to be the winning goal.

Besic's display turned heads, though, not only in that match but in Bosnia's two other group games, and Roberto Martinez made his move to pick him up from Ferencvaros in a £4m deal that was finally concluded on Monday.

The midfielder will use the experience gained on the World stage to his advantage as he prepares for life in England's top flight but his latest comments suggest he is ready for the challenge.

"I must be honest, [man-marking Messi] was not as difficult as I thought it would be," he says. "You always see these good players on TV but it was my first time that I'd played against a good team. I think I did a good job.

"[T]hat's why I chose to come [to England]. Before I was not so sure, because I played only in Hungary so I couldn't say that I could play in the Premier League.

"But in the World Cup I saw that I can play against the biggest teams."

Besic had to be patient while his complicated move from the Hungarian club was hammered out but he was prepared to disrupt his post-Brazil holiday by travelling from Budapest to Everton's Austrian training camp in order to get the deal over the line.

"There were problems but we solved it so that everything was okay," he continues. "Sometimes I had to travel back to Budapest. I was three or four hours away. I can't remember how many times I did that."

Negotiations were concluded in time for him to travel with his new teammates to Thailand for the Blues' friendly against Leicester City last weekend, though, and now he is looking forward to knuckling down and proving his worth in Martinez's squad.

Reiterating his willingness to be a versatile team player, Besic concludes: "I am hard working and what you could describe as a tough-tackling and honest player. I prefer to play as holding midfielder but I started as a centre-back and I'll play wherever the manager asks me to.

"I'm new here so I can't talk about getting to the Champions League but I'm here to do my best and see how far we can get."

Quotes sourced from Daily Star



Reader Comments (24)

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Ben Dyke
1 Posted 31/07/2014 at 08:15:46
There's something about this dude that gets me excited. I think it's the thought of him going about destroying reputations against the so-called Sky 4. Bring on the new season!
Derek Knox
2 Posted 31/07/2014 at 08:22:44
When you see some of the 'crazy' prices being paid by clubs for players, a lot being nearly 30 too, I think we have grabbed the bargain of the summer with Mo.

Not only is he 21 years of age, he is an established International, who has shown what he can do on the largest stage of all, but also has versatility being able, and willing, to play anywhere in midfield or defence!

I can only reiterate what I said on a previous thread, I really think this player will prove to be a masterstroke, by Roberto. So well done, Bobby, and welcome aboard, Mo!

Jim Lloyd
3 Posted 31/07/2014 at 08:33:10
I agree Ben. He exudes confidence and a sort of natural arrogance that reminds me so much of Tony Kay. He doesn't exactly shoot his mouth off either, he just seems really focussed on what he wants to achieve.

Only time will tell but, he doesn't seem fazed at all by coming to England and taking on some of the best that world football has to offer.

I'm looking forward to seeing him on Sunday even if it is only a friendly. The little bits that are on you tube are not going to give a complete picture by any means. But just looking at how reads a game and points out situations to team mates, makes me think we've got a leader as well as a player.

Drew Shortis
4 Posted 31/07/2014 at 09:45:36
I'm really looking forward to seeing Besic play. From what I have seen of him he looks like he can be useful to us immediately. His versatility could be a real bonus as we still don't have the biggest squad. I hear he has played right back and centre-back before as well as his preferred defensive midfield role. Hoping this turns out to be a great bit of business by Martinez.
John Daley
5 Posted 31/07/2014 at 10:31:50
Can't say I know anything about the guy first hand and I never witnessed any of his performances at the World Cup. However, the only Hungarian I know (acquainted with is more accurate as I don't even know his name. He's just 'the Hungarian'...or 'Columbo's cousin') seems to think very highly of him.

In his opinion, Besic is class and more than capable of becoming a big player for us. However, he did state that, in order to get the best from him he should be played as a central defender as this is his strongest position by far. Apparently, he's good in midfield but great in defence.

Now, I don't know if the Hungarian actually knows his shit or whether he's just a more swarthy Robbie Savage but I kind of hope what he says is true, as I feel we could do with another decent young central defender to go along with Stones. For the future, obviously, but also as cover for the coming season.

Distin is yet another year older, Jagielka seems to be suffering little spells out through injury each year and Alcaraz simply cannot be relied upon to step in and shoulder any of the burden.

Firstly, the Paraguayan is part porcelain and spends more time gluing himself back together than he does gracing Goodison with his presence. Secondly, even when fully fit and at his most rapid, the guy shifts about as smoothly as Robocop stomping around his old house in a strop.

His experience and much vaunted composure on the ball doesn't come close to making up for the fact that forwards can simply speed past him like they're the fucking Flash, whilst Alcaraz watches their arse fade into the distance as he inches after them, in super slow-mo, like he's stuck in the Matrix and it's bloody 'bullet time' again.

Ray Roche
6 Posted 31/07/2014 at 10:58:34
Besic is 5ft 10ins, is that not a bit on the short side for a central defender? When I stand next to an 18-year-old these days it's like standing next to a tree. What are kids/young people being fed now? Growmore?
Kev Johnson
7 Posted 31/07/2014 at 10:59:59
As you say, John, our players are a year older. Some people on the Big Rom thread seem to be forgetting that and imagining that the progress of time works solely in our favour! Well, it does as regards Barkley, Stones, McCarthy, Oviedo and Garbutt, but it doesn't when you think of Barry, Distin, Jags and possibly even Baines.

Fact: Besic was used almost solely as a CB in Hungary, so that's an option for us, although I see Stones as the natural successor to Distin this season. I dare say we'll mainly use him as a defensive midfielder and he'll be a useful squad member this season. Beyond that, who knows?

Duncan McDine
8 Posted 31/07/2014 at 11:16:33
You’re just shrinking Ray. But actually the modern game centre forwards aren’t all towering 6ft+ any more, but more about pace and skill, so the defenders have to follow suit in order to match or better their opponents.

Did you see how tiny Cannavaro was on BBC during the World Cup!

Ray Roche
9 Posted 31/07/2014 at 11:30:39
You may be right, Duncan, bit's of me do seem to be...er....smaller than they were...

Especially in the winter.

John Zapa
10 Posted 31/07/2014 at 13:04:39
4m is a lot to be paying for a youngster playing in Hungary. I don’t recall many multimillion pound transfers out of that league. Other than marking Messi for part of a game, there isn’t much to talk about here.
Andrew Ellams
11 Posted 31/07/2014 at 13:51:00
John, £4million isn’t a lot at all to be paying for a full international with years in front of him
Christopher Wallace
12 Posted 31/07/2014 at 15:02:46
I'm also very happy with this signing. I just hope he holds back a bit with the tackles in training, we can't afford any injuries.

He may also need to watch himself in the EPL as he loves to fly into tackles... very fine line between an amazing tackle and a red card.

No doubt Roberto will have him well prepared.

Christopher Wallace
13 Posted 31/07/2014 at 15:10:51
I'm a big fan of Morgan Schneiderlin, and I see a lot if the same qualities in Besic. I'm confident that £4m will be considered a bargain in the near future.
Sanguan A.
14 Posted 31/07/2014 at 16:36:09
BesicÂ’s first training session in Thailand. He is a man in green.
Link
Harold Matthews
15 Posted 31/07/2014 at 17:24:38
Cannavaro and Baresi were 5'-9 but there are giants on the field today. We've just signed one. That said, Cannavaro reckoned it was all down to anticipation.

Besic said his fav position was CM, not DM.

Love his Ferenc Puskas hairstyle.

Kev Johnson
16 Posted 31/07/2014 at 17:53:51
Just as long as he doesn't develop a Ferenc Puskas waistline, Harold.

Harold Matthews
17 Posted 31/07/2014 at 19:07:31
Yes Kev, Ferenc did put on an inch or two but that left foot always stayed lethal/.
Colin Glassar
18 Posted 31/07/2014 at 19:18:14
This kid looks like the real deal. Plus, he looks mean.
Danny Kewley
19 Posted 31/07/2014 at 19:45:58
I,much like the pythonesque Architect (don’t know much about football) but I know what I like! Big style this kid fits the bill-i am sure he will work like a trojan for Everton and 4 mil will defo be the 2nd best deal after Coleman we have had in modern times!
Peter Gorman
20 Posted 31/07/2014 at 22:05:51
Wow, I wasn't aware he is a potential centre-half. When you consider how great he is already as a defensive midfielder then we have some prospect on our hands.

He could go on to become a legend. Or he could go on to be incarcerated - you can never tell with these boys.

Jamie Sweet
21 Posted 31/07/2014 at 23:11:25
I usually do the old Youtube scouting on any player we're linked with, but will always take them with a pinch of salt. Cherry picked clips taken from 50 or more games. You could make Anichebe look a world beater with the right editing.

What has got me excited about this lad, is that the only clips I could really find were just taken from the three World Cup games against some of the best players, not to mention THE best player in the world, and he looked absolutely class.

Tenacious in the tackle, quick as lightning, plus once he wins the ball he's looking to make things happen going forward with some excellect distribution.

His game looks ideally suited to both the Premier League and the Roberto way. I've got a very good feeling about this kid.

Mark Andersson
22 Posted 01/08/2014 at 06:22:15
Let’s hope he lives up to people’s expectations. Martinez still has time to find some more injured or unfit players. Joking apart should be another interesting season ahead.
Christopher Kelly
23 Posted 01/08/2014 at 09:27:07
Those Tats are disgusting!!....
Love him already!!
Geoff Evans
24 Posted 01/08/2014 at 16:45:50
If RM wanted him he must be good. We've got the best manager in the league by a country mile, he's infectious, anyone who can get Bill to get his cheque book out like this can work miracles.

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